Punch WebGroups takes a different approach to the digital workplace than the other services in this review. Rather than focusing on tools for project management, real-time chat, or threaded discussions, WebGroups focuses on providing one first-class service: sharing documents via the Internet. Though this may be too narrowly focused for some users, those who already have calendars, e-mail, discussion groups, and the like may find the fuller offerings redundant or distracting.

Setting up an account is easy, and when you sign up, you get 10MB of space and two WebGroups at no charge. Additional storage and groups are available at a reasonable rate if you require more than the initial allotment. You can add users quickly by entering information on a simple form. You need only supply each user's name and e-mail address and set security as required for that user. Like HotOffice, WebGroups automatically notifies users with an e-mail saying that they have been invited to join a group. It then provides them with sign-on information.

Once you're in a group, you can create any number of folders, organizing them to provide a meaningful structure for your online document storage. Your users can browse the file structure and download or publish documents as needed. A publish button on the WebGroups toolbar lets you painlessly add documents to folders. A simple mouse click begins the uploading process to share the document.

File storage isn't exactly a new concept, and by itself, it isn't exactly a killer app by today's standards. But WebGroups goes beyond the simple concept of file sharing and storage. WebGroups has built extensive version-tracking controls into its system. Clicking on a filename in any folder reveals information on when and by whom the document was last modified. You can also see what version of a document is currently published, view all older versions, and lock the current version to prevent future revision.

All the WebGroups items that you create or upload let you attach additional information. For example, you can save a description along with each file you upload, giving others a better idea of the purpose of that particular document. You can then search this meta-information through the integrated Find tools within WebGroups. You can search by document name, keyword, user name, or date criteria.

Most of the services we looked at address document storage in some capacity; this one simply does it the best. If you need complete office functionality, WebGroups won't fill the bill. WebGroups does one thing and does it extremely welland at an exceptional value. If document management is the only piece missing from your office pie, consider Punch WebGroups.

Punch WebGroups

Punch WebGroups

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